Local beauties in Miss N.I final

May 7, 2013

South Armagh girls Emily Shields and Antoinette O’Callaghan are excitedly counting down the days to the final of the Open and Direct Miss Northern Ireland competition. The local beauties recently won their heats to make it through to the gala final which takes place this Saturday in the Europa Hotel in Belfast. The pair will be put through their paces alongside 24 other hopefuls as they battle for the crown of Miss Northern Ireland.

Crossmaglen girl, Antoinette is the current Miss Newry and, at twenty four, this is her last chance to be part of the competition. The brainy beauty queen is currently on a year out from legal studies and is using her time to pursue other things before she embarks on a career as a criminal or family law barrister. Antoinette says she is delighted to be in the final as she’s never modelled or done anything like this before, but modestly believes she has no chance of winning the title against such gorgeous competitors.

St Paul’s student, Emily Shields may be the youngest girl in the competition but what the current Miss B.E.D lacks in years, she certainly makes up for in experience. Emily is well known throughout the area as a seasoned singer and performer, making it to the All-Ireland Scór na nÓg in Derry this year with her stunning rendition of “The Parting Glass.” The local songstress also recorded the famous classical hymn ‘Pie Jesu’ last year for a school charity CD and has done a lot of TV work with RTE, coming third in TG4’s Feis and Blood contest last year. With all these strings to her bow, the beautiful teenager is sure to impress the judges on Saturday but also remains quietly modest about her chances of winning the Northern Ireland title.

The winner of the highly sought after Miss Northern Ireland crown will walk away with a tonne of prizes including a car for a year, a modelling contract and an all-expenses paid trip to Indonesia for the Miss World contest.

Tickets for Saturday’s Miss Northern Ireland final in Belfast are on sale to the public for £85 from ACA Modelling on 028 90809809.